Murphy has the talent to make dream move a success

Jacob Murphy
Norwich to Newcastle, £12.5m

This time last year Jacob Murphy was probably wondering whether he would ever make it at Norwich.

At the age of 21 Murphy was still waiting to make his first league appearance for the Canaries and had already had loan spells with six lower-league clubs.

Twelve months on he has just returned from playing four times for England at the Under-21 European Championships and has clinched a transfer to Newcastle - the club he supported as a child.

Murphy's career has taken off in the last two years.

He impressed during a season-long-loan at Coventry in 2015-16 and has made the most of his belated opportunity at Norwich.

Murphy made his league debut for Norwich at Blackburn on the opening weekend of last season and showed no sign of nerves, scoring the best goal of the game in a 4-1 victory.

He hasn't looked back and his experience of lower league football should keep his feet on the ground.

There may be an adjustment period as Murphy gets used to
top-flight football but he has the right attitude and enough ability to succeed.

Verdict
Has earned his chance.

Britt Assombalonga has swapped the Midlands for TeessideCredit: Stu Forster

Britt Assombalonga
Nottingham Forest to Middlesbrough, £15m

The transfer market appears to have gone bonkers this summer and it is hard to justify Middlesbrough's massive outlay on talented but injury-prone striker Britt Assombalonga.

Middlesbrough's problems in front of goal last season were well documented and they have identified Assombalonga as part of the solution.

They could be proved right because Assombalonga has exceptional pace and strength and has shown he can finish.

However, his injury record is a major concern.

In three seasons at Nottingham Forest he made just 65 league appearances and 47 league starts (an average of 15.67 per season).

During that time Assombalonga has scored 30 goals but Middlesbrough will want him to be in the starting line up for more than a third of the season if their spend is to be justified.

Verdict
Massive risk.

Ollie Watkins
Exeter to Brentford, Undisclosed

Exeter's academy is renowned as one of the best in the lower leagues and it appears to have produced another gem in pacy attacker Ollie Watkins, who has sealed a move to the Sky Bet Championship.

Brentford are not afraid of taking a chance on lower league talent and did some astute business last season by snapping up centre-back John Egan and winger Romaine Sawyers from Gillingham and Walsall.

Egan and Sawyers become first team regulars in their first season with Brentford and Watkins' challenge is to do the same.

It won't be easy to bridge the two-division gap but Watkins looked a class act in Sky Bet League Two thanks to his dribbling skills and eye for a killer pass.

He scores goals too (13 in 45 league matches last term) and is likely to thrive at the higher level.

Verdict
Another good signing for the Bees.

Chris Samba
Unattached to Aston Villa

Steve Bruce has targeted experienced players this summer and has landed another by snapping up Chris Samba - a veteran with 171 Premier League appearances under his belt.

Samba could form a central defensive partnership with John Terry but there are doubts over whether he will be robust enough to last the 46-game season.

The 33-year-old has not played in England since 2013 and has played just six league matches in the last two seasons - four for Dinamo Moscow and two for Panathinaikos.

During a five-year spell at Blackburn he was a powerhouse centre-back but he may find it difficult to reprise those performances.

Verdict
Past his best.

Michael Bostwick
Peterborough to Lincoln, Undisclosed

National League champions Lincoln want to do more than consolidate in League Two and their acquisition of Michael Bostwick is a real statement of intent.

The Imps have money to spend after last season's remarkable run to the FA Cup quarter-finals but their successful pursuit of Bostwick - Peterborough's 2016-17 player of the season - has still come as a surprise.

Peterborough chairman Darragh McAnthony has revealed that Blackburn were also interested in Bostwick but the player chose a move to Lincoln "for family reasons".

His decision is a major boost for Lincoln, who seem to be building a team to challenge for promotion.

Bostwick was one of the main leadership figures at Peterborough and can play in central defence or holding midfield.

Verdict
Statement of intent.